Electronic counting device



Dec. 2, 1952 R. H. BAKER x-:TAL Y 2,620,440

ELECTRONIC COUNTING DEVICE Filed 0017. 29.l 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET l l Dec 2, 1952 R. H. BAKER ET AL 2,620,440

v y ELECTRONIC COUNTINGDEVICE Filed'ocx;v 29. 1949 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 Patented Dec. 2, 1952 VinrctrnoNIc ooUN'rING DEVICE Richard H. Baker, Los Angeles, and Donaldl E. Eckdahl, Manhattan Beach, Calif., assignors to Northrop Aircraft, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif., a corporation of California Application Qctober 29, 1949, Serial No. 124,334

This invention relates to electronic; counting circuits and more particularlyto ,the type that reset at an odd number. j

When using electronic counting circuits for rate'division of` au pulse stream, or for providing the stages of a multi-stage counter, for example, it is desirable that they be so arranged that they emit a pulse toan outgoing circuit and automatically reset to a Zeroy designated condition after a given number of pulses'have` been received on an incoming circuit.

It is Well known that counting circuits of this type can be provided based 'on theusey of a fundamental circuit known as a modified Eccles-Jordan nip-flop. These latter circuits are of Va binary nature however; and thus, although they are admirably suitable for counting, circuits in the binary geometric progression system, their inherent binary operation make them unwieldy to adapt to counting methods in o dd number radix systems.

It is therefore an object of this invention Vto provide'a means fori simply adapting flipfilop circuits toy count in'odd number radices. i

Further, itis highly desirable to be able to adapt a normal cascade of flip-iljopV circuits for counting Veven' numbers radices other than those includedin the .binary geometric progression system; in particular, the-radixten.

It is therefore another object of this invention to provide a novel vmeans for modifying the interconnection cfa normal cascade of flip-flop circuits to count in the decimal system.

In accordance with this invention, the modified Eccles-Jordan nip-nop circuit'r'eferred'tois ofthe type having a'common input to both of its tubes whereby it can he triggered from Whichever state it is in to the otherby a single pulse applied' thereto.V Another characteristic of this flip-flopv circuit is that it can also be changed in state by a proper polaritypulse applied directly to one of the grids of the tubes. Thus each iiipflop circuit has three possible inputs: the common inputfandthe input to each of the grids. Ingeneral,A a pulse applied at the'inputs to the grids is considered to be more effective and less critical in action than a similar pulse applied at the, commoninput.

Briefly, the present invention comprises a plurality of fiip`ops, of the type as above described, arranged in cascade to form a counter. An incoming circuit to thecounter is connected directly to the common triggering point. of the rst nip-nop;v and each of the successive intermediate nip-flops, if any, have their common 7 Claims. (Cl. Z50-27) triggering .point connected to the carry plate of the preceding nip-flop circuit. Connecting means are then provided for the last nip-flop so that whenever it receives a carry pulse, the next pulse on the incoming circuit is enabled to change only the state of the last flip-nop and thus return all the flip-flops in the counter to a zero designated condition. The outgoing circuit from the counting circuit is connected to this last nip-nop and carries one of the outgoing pulses created by its change in state.

This invention will be made more apparent from the ensuing description of the drawings in which:

Figure l is a circuit diagram of the electronic counter of the present invention which resets at the number three.

Figure 2 is a circuit diagram showing how an intermediate flip-flop can be added to the circuit in Figure l to enable resetting at vthe number ve.

Figure'B is atable of the condi-tions of the tubes, of the nip-flops in the counter of Figure 2, as they count through a cycle.

Figure 4 is a graph sequence of voltage conditions for the carry tubes of the flip-flops in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating how additional intermediate stages can be added for obtaining other odd number counters.

Figure 6 is a lblock diagram illustrating how the present invention can be adapted for counting in the decimal system.

Referring first to Figure 1, -ip-ilop networks A and B are there sho-wnl interconnected so as to form a ternary counting circuit, i. e., a circuit which resets, or cycles, to a zero designated condition oi its tubes when three input pulses are received on an input line l0. Y

The two tubes in each flip-nop have their plates and grids intercoupled, as is well known, so that when a common potential is applied across them they will settle at a stable state such that. one tube is conducting and theY other tubevis nonconducting. The flip-nop will then remain in its existing state until switched by a properly applied pulse. Y

For example, flip-IlopA can be triggered by applying a negative polarity pulse at a `junction Ja which is connected to the grids of each of the tubes through individual resistors Il. Junction Je is further connected toa negative potential -E through a bias resistor I2. This arrangement of input resistors with a flip-nop is Well known as a Potter network. Flip-nop A, for

example, can also be triggered or caused to change its state by applying input pulses directly to the grids of one of its tubes. For instance, in the present invention, by applying a negative pulse directly to the grid of a conducting tube, the opposite tube can be made to conduct.

As noted, the left and right tube of each of the flip-flops is assigned the letters X and Y, respectively, with appropriate subscripts. As the right tubes in each flip-nop have the outgoing leads connected thereto, tubes Ys and Yb are known as carry tubes, and tubes Xa and Xs are known as non-carry tubes.

For the particular arrangement of the fiip-iiops in Figure 1, incoming circuit ii is connected through a first input capacitor i3 to the junction Ja of ilip-ilop A. Incoming circuit I@ is also connected through a second input capacitor I to the grid of tube Xb of nip-flop E.

The output from the carry plate of tube Ya is then connected through an interconnecting capacitor I5 to the grid of the other tube, Ys, of flip-op B.

To complete the present hookup a'feedback line IB is connected from the plate of tube Ys to the grid of tube Xa through a feedback capacitor I'I. The outgoing circuit 2Q from the counter is likewise preferably taken from the plate of tube Ys, although it should be noted that this outgoing circuit connection could also be made at the tube Xb, as shown by line 2Q', and still give the proper rate division of pulses on the incoming circuit I.

In order to explain the operation of the ternary counter, assume that the Ya. and Ys tubes are conducting and that negative polarity square pulses are being applied on the incoming circuit It. The rst of these input pulses, applied at the junction Ja of flip-nop A, turns tube Xa on and turns tube Ya oil. This rst input pulse has no effect on fiip-iiop B, however, since it is applied to the grid of tube Xt which is already off.

The result of the change in state of iip-iiop A causes a rise in potential at the plate of tube Ya. However, as will be more clearly shown in the ensuing description, this rise in potential is gradual due to transients in the network so that it is effectively attenuated through the differentiating circuit comprised of interconnecting capacitor I5 and the resistance of the grid of tube Ys.

The second negative polarity input pulse, applied on incoming circuit I, again reverses the state of the flip-nop A, causing tube Ya to again conduct. The drop in potential thus created on the plate of tube Ya is of a sudden nature as contrasted with the previous gradual potential rise so that it is communicated through interconnecting capacitor I5 as a peaked negative carry pulse onto the grid of tube Ys.

It is noted that as a result cf this second input pulse, two distinct actions are imposed on flipop B. First, the second input pulse is impressed directly as a negative pulse on the grid of noncarry tube Xb; secondly, the negative carry pulse, which was emitted from flip-flop A as a result of the second input pulse on it, is impressed on the grid of carry tube Ys. These negative pulses obviously act in opposition on iiip-ilop B. However, the negative carry pulse impressed on the grid of tube Ys predominates over the second input pulse applied to the grid of tube Xb for two reasons.

l'n the first place, the input pulse applied on the incoming circuit Il! is comparable in mag- .4 nitude and width with the carry pulses from tube Ya; but, whereas the carry pulses are applied directly, the incoming pulses are divided so as to be applied to both hip-flops. Thus the carry pulses are always stronger signals. In the second place, the carry pulse is delayed with respect to the input pulse by the time required for hip-flop A `to produce it, so that the carry pulse exists after the incoming pulse has disappeared.

Thus, the second pulse effectively changes the state of both flip-iiop A and iiip-op B. It should be noted that the slow rise in potential on the plate of tube Ys, as ilip-flop B is changed by the second input pulse, is not communicated over the feedback line I6 to the grid of tube XB.; since, as explained before, positive going changes in potential are attenuated by the feedback differentiating circuit comprised, in this case, of capacitor I'I and the chosen resistance of the grid of tube Xa.

The third input pulse on incoming circuit IS attempts to change the state of ip-lop A as was accomplished by the previous two input pulses. However, before this triggering action can be realized, this Same third input pulse, which is also applied on the conducting tube Xb, causes flip-flop B to change state. The resulting sudden drop in potential on the plate of =tube Ys is immediately communicated as a differentiated peaked negative pulse on feedback line I6 to the non-conducting tube Xa of the flip-iiop A; and prevents the third input pulse which has been applied on the less sensitive input junction J a from changing the state of flip-flop A.

This same carry pulse, which is fed on feedback line I6 for blocking the triggering eifect of the third input pulse on flip-iiop A, is fed as an output pulse on outgoing circuit 20.

Thus one output pulse has been fed out on outgoing circuit 20 for three input pulses on the incoming circuit I0. Moreover, the flip-flops have now cycled back, or reset, to the condition with Itube Ya and Yb on and tubes Xa and Xb cit as originally assumed, so that the fourth input pulse finds the fiip-iiops in the same condition as the rst input pulse.

Referring next to Figure 2, a circuit diagram is shown with an intermediate flip-nop #I comprised of tubes X1 and Y1 inserted between iiipnops A and B. It is seen here that the interconnection of flip-iiops A and B have not been changed except for the fact that the output from tube Ya is connected to the junction J1 of the intermediate ilip-lop #L while the output from the plate of tube Y1 is connected to the grid of tube Yb. The counting circuit of Figure 2 will be seen to be a quinary counter, i. e., one which resets at the odd number 5.

Referring to Figure 3, a table is shown describing the conditions of the tubes,V in the iiip-fiops of Figure 2 as the input pulses are successively impressed on the incoming circuit IB.

As before described, and as seen in the table of Figure 3, the Y tubes of all the nip-flops are initially on for the zero or reset condition of the counter. successively applied to the counter, it can be seen that flip-flop A and flip-nop #I trigger olf and on as in ordinary binary counting, i. e., for every two pulses received on the input to a flipflop a single carry pulse is emitted to the output. It should be noted that these first four negative input pulses, although felt on the grid of tube Xb in flip-flop B, have no eiect thereon since the ltube is in a non-conducting state.

As the rst four input pulses are Referring to the circuit ofv Figure 2 and the graph of' Figure 3; it is seen that after the fourth input pulsev has been applied to the counting circuit, a carry pulse is conveyed from the #I iiipflop to change the state of the B flip-flop. The flip-flops are 'now in the condition to permit -the fth input pulse to change the state of flip-flop B and thus cause a carry pulse on feedback line I6, to serve its function of blocking the effect of the iifth input pulse in its attempt to trigger nip-flop A.

This carry pulse from the Vtube of Yb of flipflop B is also conveyed as the output pulse on outgoing circuit. 20.

Referring to the table in Figure 3 it can be seen that the sixth input pulse iinds the ip-op circuits in the ksame condition as did the iirst input pulse, i. e., the conditions of the tubes of the flip-flops have cycled back to their original orientation.

Figure 4 is a graph revealing the plate Waves forms of the Y tubes, or carry tubes, of each of the nip-flops as the counter changes its state in going through a cycle. It is seen here that the triggering of a Y tube from an on to off condition results in a comparatively gradual rise of the potential on its plate as compared to the sudden drop in potential evidenced on the Y plate when its tube is triggered -to become conducting. Thus, as previously explained, the differentiation action of the capacitor and grid', through which the changes in Y plate potentials are conveyed, is practically non-existent for increased potentials on the Y plates, while this action on the decreased potentials results in them being conveyed as peaked negative pulses which cause definite triggering action on the tubes.

Moreover, in Figure 4, the blocking action on iiip-ilop A, as a result of the fifth input pulse, is clearly revealed in the graph by the absence of change of voltage on the Ya plate at this instance. it is made apparent here, however, that the drop in potential experienced by the Ye plate at the instant of the fifth input pulse results in an output carry pulse from nip-flop B.

Referring to Figure 5, a simpliiied block diagram of a counting circuit is shown with two intermediate lip-ops #i and #2 placed between the A and B flip-flops. The block diagram of each flip-flop illustrates in particular the right and left tubes X and Y, respectively; the common input J the inputs to each of the grids of the tubes; and the two outputs from the plates of the tubes. The arrangement of the external connections, which constitute the present` invention, are clearly indicated. For the particular circuit embodiment utilizing two intermediate nip-flops, the counting circuit can be shown to reset at the odd number 17.

t is now readily apparent that any number of additional intermediate flip-flops can be similarly added into the circuit at the point intersected by line D-D in Figure 5. In general, it can be shown that the addition of n flip-ilops to the circuit of Figure l will result in a counting device that will reset after (2n-1+i) input pulses are applied.

Referring next to Figure 6, a block diagram of the counting circuit in Figure 2, which resets after five input pulses are applied, is shown preceded by an ordinary flip-nop functioning as a binary stage. This embodiment forms a decade counter. The flip-flop P divides the incoming pulse rate on input line 23 by two, and the liveresetting counter divides the output rate from nip-flop P by ve. The result isr division by ten. ThusA a decade resetting counter has been supplied which enables counting to be obtained in the decimal system. By using a plurality of such units for successive stages of a multi-stage counter, ordinary decimal counting to any number can be obtained.

Thus, it has clearly been revealed how a counting device for resettingI at odd numbers can be obtained from a normal binary chain of :dipiiops with a minimum requirement of modications in their external interconnections.

The primary advantage of this arrangement for connecting flip-flops to obtain odd number radices is that the action of the carry and reset signals is precise and does not require critical examination or adjustment of circuit elements to, produce reliable results. At no time during the cycle of operation is there any question as to the action of the circuits in the device. Even when two signals tend to oppose one another there is no balancing effect since one of them retains absolute control and completely blocks the other one out of the action.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular feaures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacricing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specic as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specinc features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise a preferred form of putting the invention into eect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic counting circuit comprising a plurality of flip-Hops arranged in a cascade; an incoming line connected to the rst and last flip-flops of said cascade; carry connections to successive flip-flops in said cascade; connecting means between the last flip-ilop and the first such that pulses on said incoming line can trigger said first flip-nop only, until said last flipflop has received its rst carry pulse, after which further changes in the preceding flip-flop circuits are prevented and that pulse on said incoming line which immediately follows, in time, the sending of said first carry pulse to said last nip-flop is enabled to change the state only of the last flip-flop, an outgoing line from said counting circuit connected to said last nip-flop.

2. In a counting circuit, a plurality of pulse operated flip-flop networks arranged in series; said nip-flop networks having a carry pulse output from one to the next; an incoming line connected to the rst and last iiip-iiops of said series carrying incoming pulses being applied to the rst and last flip-flops of said series; said incoming pulses triggering said rst flip-flop only, until a carry pulse is sent to said last flip-flop; that pulse on said incoming line which immediately follows, in time, the sending of said carry pulse to said last iiip-op triggering said last flip-nop; said last Vflip-flop having a carry pulse output to said i-lrst flip-flop whereby that carry pulse which is the result of said last flip-flop being triggered by a pulse from said incoming line prevents said latter incoming pulse from triggering said first flip-flop.

3. In a counting circuit, a plurality of .pulse operated Flip-flop networks arranged in series, said flip-flop networks having a carry pulse connection from one to the next, said flip-flop networks being initially energized with those tubes which have an output line connected to the grids of the immediately following flip-flops of said series conducting, an incoming line connected to the first and last iiip-ops of said series carryin T incoming pulses being applied to the rst and last lip-iiop networks of said series, circuit means whereby said incoming pulses are capable of triggering said iirst flip-nop only until a carry pulse is emitted to said last ipdiop at which time that pulse on said incoming line which immediateiy follows, in time, the sending of said first carry pulse to said last flip-flop is capable of triggering said last iiip-iiop only, whereby all said iiip-iops are returned to their initial state.

fi. In a counting circuit, a plurality of pulse operated flip-nop networks arranged in cascade, said :dip-nop networks having a carry pulse connection from one to the next, said flop net- Works being initially operated with those tubes which have output line connected to the grids of tire immediately following lip-ilops of said cascade of flipmiiops conducting, an incoming transmission oi pulses to the rst pulses being applied to the first and last nip-flop networks of series, said incoming pulses triggering said first dip-nop only until a carry pulse is emitted to last nip-nop, said last fiip-iop beingr triggered oy that incoming pulse which immediately follows, time, the sending raid first carry pulse to said last flip-nop, a feedback connection from Caid last flip-riep to said iirst whereby, when said last nip-nop is triggered by said incoming pulse, a carry pulse is fed on said feedback connection to prevent said latter incoming pulse from triggering said rst ilip-iiop ln a counting circuit, a plurality of pulse operated flip-nops arranged in a cascade; each of said flip-nope comp-rising a pair ci tubes; said 'io-flops capable of operation by a pulse applied at a common input point, or an input point at one of t'ne grids, of its tubes; an input point circuit connected to the common input point ci" the iirst nip-iop and the grid of the carry tube of the last iip-ilopg carry circuits from. the carry plate of each of the flip-Hops to the common input point of the succeeding flip-nop except the last; a carry circuit from the carry plate of the next to the last nip-flop to the grid of the carry tube in the last flip-flop;y a feedback circuit from the carry plate of the last flip-flop to the grid of the noncarry tube of the rst flip-flop; an output circuit from the carry plate of the last nip-flop; whereby an input pulse rate fed into said input circuit is divided by (211-14-1) in said output circuit where n is equivalent to the number of nip-flops in said counting circuit.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein diierentiating circuits comprised of capacitors and chosen resistances of the grids are used in the carry circuit between the next to the last and the last flip-flop, and in the feedback circuit from the last to the rst nip-flop, said differentiating circuit effectively passing only the sharp negative going changes of the plate voltages.

7. A stage of a ternary counter comprising a lirst and second flip-flop circuit of the type capable of Yoperation by a pulse applied at a common input point to its tubes or by pulses applied at the grids of its tubes, an incoming circuit connected to the common input point of said rst flip-flop and to the grid of the non-carry tube of said second nip-flop, a carry pulse circuit from the plate of the carry tube of said first iiip-iiop to the grid of the carry tube of said second ilipflop, a feedback circuit from the plate or" the carry tube or" said second flip-opgto the grid of the non-carry tube of said nrst nip-nop, an outgoing circuit from the carry .plate of said second flipflop 'whereby one output pulse is emitted on said outgoing circuit for vevery three input pulses on said incoming circuit.

RICHARD H. BAKER. DONALD E. ECKDAHL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,409,229 Smith et al Oct. l5, 1946 2,470,716 Overbeek May i7, 1949 

